Centaurea behen Linn. a medicinal herb belongs to the Asteraceae family. The origins of Safed Behman (White Rhapontic) can be traced back to mentions by European authors in Materia Medica and its Arabic equivalent, Bahman Abiaz. Ancient Persian civilizations extensively utilized both Red and White Bahman as medicinal remedies, passing their knowledge to the Arabs, who subsequently introduced it to Western cultures. The term Bahman translates to “the supreme intelligence” and is also the name of a Persian month. According to Burhan-e-Qati, the plant blooms during the month of Behman (January), and the second day of this month is associated with its significance (Yuanet al., 2016; World Health Organization, 2013).

This plant exists in two varieties—white and red. The root of the white variety is noted for its aphrodisiac properties and its ability to reduce fat and alleviate flatulence. Historically, Persians observed the second day of the month Bahman—known as Bahmanjana—as an auspicious day, marked by preparing special meals with meat and grains, adorned with white and red Behman flowers. The day was also regarded as ideal for harvesting medicinal plants, initiating new ventures, wearing fresh clothing, and grooming tasks such as trimming hair or nails (The safety of Herbal Medicine from Prejudice to Evidence).

Unani physicians, particularly Muslim practitioners, have long valued Bahman Safed. It is commonly prescribed for conditions such as calculous diseases and jaundice, being considered both hot and dry (2° each) and a potent aphrodisiac. It is also known to counteract phlegmatic humors. Some sources, such as Ainslie, mistakenly equate its root with that of Withania somnifera (Asgandh). The usual dosage is one dirham. Although Red Bahman, or Red Rhapontic, is often associated with its white counterpart in Eastern texts, its origin remains unclear and its root structure differs significantly. According to Hakim Muhammad Husain Khan, author of Makhzan al-Advia, some attribute it to the root of a plant called Kaf-e-Adam.

Classical Unani literature highlights numerous health benefits of Bahman Safed. Modern scientific research has further explored its chemical composition, therapeutic applications, and pharmacological properties, offering deeper insights into its medicinal potential.

Herbs frequently contain a substantial amount of molds and bacteria, mainly derived from soil or organic fertilizers. Improper harvesting and production practices, combined with inadequate control of moisture levels during the transportation and storage of herbal medicines, can further contribute to contamination and microbial growth.

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins predominantly produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, along with other species such as A. nomius, A. ochraceoroseus, A. bombycis, and A. pseudotamari. These fungal secondary metabolites are classified into four main types: B1, G1, B2, and G2. Among these, Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic and is recognized as the most potent natural carcinogen, primarily targeting the liver. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has categorized AFB1 as a Group I carcinogen, signifying its high carcinogenic potential.

The consumption of herbal plants and medicines contaminated with aflatoxins or heavy metals is a recognized source of toxicity. Heavy metals enter the environment through natural processes and various anthropogenic activities. Their accumulation in plant tissues depends largely on their soil concentration and bioavailability, but they can also settle on plant surfaces through atmospheric deposition. Due to their persistence and long biological half-life, heavy metals present significant health hazards (“Microbiological Quality Assessment of Some Commercial Herbal Drugs”).

Key heavy metals include cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead. The harvesting and cultivation of plants having medicinal property near industrial areas or locations where these metals are improperly disposed of should be avoided; as such environments increase the likelihood of heavy metal accumulation in plants. This elevated risk of contamination can lead to significant health concerns when these plants are consumed (National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health, National Institute of Health (NIH).

The test drug, Bahman Safed (Centaurea behen Linn.), was sourced from Dawakhana Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its identity was verified based on Unani classical literature and botanical literature in the lab of pharmacognosy, Department of Ilmul Advia, A.K.T.C. and further authenticated in the Department of Botany AMU, Aligarh.

A herbarium specimen of the test drug prepared and deposited in the Mawaleed-e-Slasah museum of Ilmul Advia Department, AMU, for the purpose of future reference. The collected drug was subsequently powdered and stored in an airtight container for use in experimental studies.

The powdered fruits of Centaurea behen Linn. were analyzed to assess the concentration of Aflatoxins, heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial load. These evaluations were conducted at AGSS Analytical and Research Lab Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, India (ULR No. TC121152400009268F; Report No. AGSS/AP/24071300009). The sample was submitted on July 13, 2024, and the results were reported on July 18, 2024.

The analysis of heavy metals was conducted for measuring levels of impurities of metals for the test drug. Impurity with heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead may result from various sources, including environmental pollution. The heavy metal content was assessed at AGSS Analytical and Research Lab Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, following the testing protocol outlined in the ASU Guidelines (Table 1) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

A 2 g sample was combined with 20 mL of a 60% acetonitrile-water solution and blended at high speed for 2 min. The mixture was then subjected to centrifugation at 1600 g for 10 min, and the supernatant was carefully separated. To reduce the solvent concentration to 10% or less, 2 mL of the supernatant was mixed with 48 mL of Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) at pH 7.4. The prepared solution was then passed through an immunoaffinity column at a flow rate of 5 mL/min.

The column was rinsed by passing 20 mL of distilled water through it at a similar flow rate and then dried quickly. Subsequently, 1.5 mL of distilled water was added to the sample eluate. A 500 μL portion of the prepared sample was injected into the LC-MS/MS system for analysis (LC-Perkin, MS Applied Biosystems, Model No. 2000).

• Mobile Phase: A – 100% Water, B – 100% Acetonitrile.
• Column: ZORBAX Rx C18, narrow base (2.1 x 150 mm, 5 μm).
• Column Oven Temperature: 30°C.
• Flow Rate: 0.750 ml/min.

The concentration of aflatoxins was determined by comparing the peak heights or areas of the sample to those of a known Aflatoxin standard (Table 2).

The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates the determination of microbial load in all herbal drugs to ensure safety for human use. The microbial load assessment was conducted following WHO guidelines (Table 3).

The preparation process was tailored to the nature of the test sample. The antimicrobial properties of the sample were neutralized or diluted appropriately. The test sample was diluted using Buffered Sodium Chloride-Peptone Solution (pH 7.0, MM1275-500G, Himedia Labs, Mumbai, India).

• A 10 g portion of the test sample was dissolved in lactose broth (M1003-500G, Himedia Labs, Mumbai, India), which was verified to be free of bacterial activity under test conditions unless stated otherwise.
• The solution was diluted to 100 mL using the same medium, and the pH was adjusted to approximately 7.

• A 10 g portion of the test sample was dissolved in lactose broth with no antimicrobial activity under test conditions.
• A suitable surfactant solution containing Polysorbate 20R (M1307-500G, Himedia Labs, Mumbai, India) and 1 mg/mL of Potassium Tellurite (FD052, Himedia Labs, Mumbai, India) was added to aid dilution.
• The final volume was adjusted to 100 mL with the same medium, and the pH was set to about 7.

• A 1 mL aliquot of the pre-treated sample was mixed with approximately 15 mL of liquefied casein-soybean digest agar (M290-500G, Himedia Labs, Mumbai, India) in a 90 mm Petri dish, maintained at a temperature not exceeding 45°C. Alternatively, the sample was spread on the surface of the solidified medium.
• Two Petri dishes were prepared for each dilution, inverted, and incubated at 30–35°C for 48–72 hours or until a reliable count was obtained.
• The number of colonies formed was counted, with results calculated from plates containing up to 300 colonies.

• A 1 mL aliquot of the pre-treated sample was mixed with approximately 15 mL of liquefied Sabouraud glucose agar with antibiotics (MI472-500G, Himedia Labs, Mumbai, India) in a 90 mm Petri dish, maintained at a temperature not exceeding 45°C. Alternatively, the sample was spread on the solidified medium.
• Two Petri dishes were prepared for each dilution, inverted, and incubated at 20–25°C for five days or until reliable counts were obtained.
• The colonies were counted, with results calculated from plates containing no more than 100 colonies.
• This method ensures an accurate determination of bacterial and fungal loads in herbal drugs.

A 2 g sample of the test drug was extracted using 5 mL of ethyl acetate. The mixture was subjected to extraction for two minutes and then centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for another two minutes. The supernatant layer was collected, and a 1 mL aliquot was injected into a GC-MS/MS system to analyze and quantify the pesticide residues.

The safety profile of the test drug was assessed through the evaluation of microbial load, heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), aflatoxins via LC-MS/MS, and pesticide residues through GC-MS/MS, as presented in Tables 1–4.

Herbal drugs are often perceived as inherently safe due to their natural origin, but this assumption is not always accurate. This highlights the critical need for safety evaluations of herbal medicines and food products in compliance with WHO guidelines. These evaluations typically include the assessment of heavy metals, microbial load, aflatoxins, and pesticide residues (BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies).

Microbial contamination in herbal drugs not only compromises their efficacy but can also lead to toxicity, rendering the drugs unsuitable for human consumption. Contaminated herbal products may result in unintended health issues rather than addressing the intended ailments. Consequently, investigating microbial contamination in herbal drugs is of paramount importance. In this study, the Unani herbal drug Centaurea behen Linn. was analyzed for microbial load, including the total bacterial count and total yeast and mold count. As per WHO norms, the serial dilution method revealed that the total bacterial count in the drug sample was within permissible limits. Pathogenic bacteria, such as Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella, were not detected in the sample (Table 1).

Medicinal plants often contain varying levels of heavy metals, which may arise from environmental contamination or absorption from the atmosphere. While some heavy metals are essential in trace amounts, excessive levels can pose severe health risks. Ensuring quality control and standardized screening of herbal products is vital to protect consumers from toxicity. Heavy metal contamination in the test drug was assessed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Lead was found within permissible limits, while mercury, arsenic, and cadmium were absent (Table 2).

Aflatoxins, a group of mycotoxins produced primarily by Aspergillus species, are toxic secondary metabolites with a strong link to fungal development. These carcinogenic compounds, particularly Aflatoxin B1, target the liver and pose significant health risks. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies Aflatoxin B1 as carcinogenic, while Aflatoxins G1, B2, and G2 are considered possible carcinogens. Screening of the test drug for aflatoxins, conducted using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), confirmed the absence of aflatoxins in the sample (Table 3).

Herbal drugs may also contain pesticide residues from agricultural practices, such as spraying, soil treatment during cultivation, or fumigant use during storage. Comprehensive testing for pesticide residues in herbal drugs is essential to ensure safety. The test drug sample was processed using a standard extraction procedure, with impurities removed by partition or absorption, and individual pesticides quantified using GC-MS. The pesticide residues in the test drug were found to be within acceptable limits (Table 4).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has mandated the evaluation of the safety profile for all finished products. This study assessed the safety parameters of the test drug, including microbial load, contamination with heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, as well as the presence of aflatoxins and pesticide residues. The findings revealed that the test drug posed no harm, with all measured values falling within permissible limits. Therefore, it can be concluded that the test drug is safe for use and carries no risk of toxicity (Rajkumar Dattatraya B, Sriram P. Evaluation of Microbial Load of Herbal Raw Materials: a Necessary Quality Control Measure to Ensure Safety of Finished Herbal Preparations. Adv Biotech & Micro).